The Serpent and the Rainbow (1987)

The Serpent and the Rainbow (1987)
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Horror maven Wes Craven attempted a slight change of pace from his usual slasher movie milieu with this chiller loosely based on a true story. Bill Pullman stars as Dennis Alan, a Harvard researcher sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company to investigate the zombie legend and any possible connection it might have to a rumored drug that could be used as a new breed of powerful anaesthetic. Once on the Caribbean isle, Alan is aided by a good voodoo priest or "houngan" (Paul Winfield) and his daughter (Cathy Tyson), who runs a local clinic. Alan's search also pits him against an evil houngan, Dargent Peytraud (Zakes Mokae). Peytraud also controls the Tonton Macoute (the Haitian secret police), who are involved with soon-to-be-deposed dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on the book of the same name by Wade Davis, an ethnobotanist whose real-life hunt for the zombie drug was credited with cracking the medical mystery behind the myth. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Bill PullmanCathy Tyson, (more)
Director(s):
Wes Craven
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Synopsis of The Serpent and the Rainbow

Horror maven Wes Craven attempted a slight change of pace from his usual slasher movie milieu with this chiller loosely based on a true story. Bill Pullman stars as Dennis Alan, a Harvard researcher sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company to investigate the zombie legend and any possible connection it might have to a rumored drug that could be used as a new breed of powerful anaesthetic. Once on the Caribbean isle, Alan is aided by a good voodoo priest or "houngan" (Paul Winfield) and his daughter (Cathy Tyson), who runs a local clinic. Alan's search also pits him against an evil houngan, Dargent Peytraud (Zakes Mokae). Peytraud also controls the Tonton Macoute (the Haitian secret police), who are involved with soon-to-be-deposed dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on the book of the same name by Wade Davis, an ethnobotanist whose real-life hunt for the zombie drug was credited with cracking the medical mystery behind the myth. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
98 mins

Complete Cast of The Serpent and the Rainbow


Director(s):
Wes Craven
Writer(s):
Wes CravenRichard MaxwellA.R. Simoun
Producer(s):
Rob CohenKeith BarishDavid Ladd
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Gore, Nudity, Profanity, Not For Children, Adult Situations, Graphic Violence, Adult Language, Violence)
Categories:
Horror
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
     
    Ryan M.

    I have loved this film from the first time I saw it. It was a very different take on horror back then and I recommend it to anyone.

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    Veronique C.

    My dad is a composer and his music was featured in the sound track of this movie. I thought the movie was awesome. It's a great horror flick with some truth to it. If you want to be scared silly, rent it now. Enjoy! V.C -NY

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    MerriAnn A.

    I thought this movie was awesome! Wife didn't like it, But I thought it was great!

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    Read All 21 Reviews